Standing 6-6 and weighing in at 281 pounds, Alex Bars has set the bar high for offensive line recruits. A product of Nashville (Tenn.) Montgomery Bell Academy, this 2014 prospect already has offers from Michigan, Nebraska, Tennessee, UNC, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and the Buckeyes.
His father played at Notre Dame, his brothers play at Big Ten Universities: Penn State and Michigan, and the Buckeyes are recruiting this former Michigan native and current Tennessee resident hard. Does Notre Dame have an advantage? What about Penn State and Michigan?
Talking to Alex, it doesn?t take long to realize he is his own man. Though it would be nice to play with a brother, it looks like this member of the Bars family will set his own bar on where he plays and it could be for the Scarlet and Gray.
He took some time to tell The-Ozone how his recruiting is going.
Ozone: Where did you grow up? Who was your childhood favorite team?
Bars: I grew up in Detroit, Michigan and moved to Tennessee when I was eight. I have loyalties to both states. I grew up watching the Detroit Tigers as my childhood favorite sports team.
Ozone: Is football your favorite sport? When did you start playing?
Bars: I started playing football in the third grade and I would say that football and basketball are my two favorite sports. I also play baseball and compete in track throwing shot put and discus.
Ozone: Which major school offered you first? Do they have an advantage?
Bars: Tennessee offered me first. I went to their camp over the summer and it was at the camp that they offered me a scholarship. They do have a slight advantage since they were the first to offer. My dad played for Notre Dame so I followed them some as a kid. I do not have a Notre Dame offer but would love to receive one. My dad is pumped to see Notre Dame having such a great season so far.
Ozone: I have seen you listed as a DE and OL, which is your best position? Which do you want to play in college?
Bars: I play both offense and defense but most schools are recruiting me as an offensive tackle, which is where Ohio State wants me to play. I call coach Ed Warinner sometimes just to talk football.
Ozone: One of your brothers plays at Penn State, what has it been like for him? Any chance he transfers to where you go to school?
Bars: It has been very tough on the PSU players but my brother still loves Penn State and is getting a great education there. My brother wants me to make my own decision. I also have a brother at Michigan but it is not necessarily an advantage for either school.
Ozone: Which is your best position on the line?
Bars: Left tackle. I can play guard or center but have not really played much there in high school. I just started playing OL this past year; I was previously on defensive line.
Ozone: Who is your top 5?
Bars: I do not have one, I am considering all schools, and it is too early in the process.
Ozone: Who is your leader?
Bars: No leader. Alabama, Georgia, Florida and LSU are recruiting me hard. I receive a lot of mail from them. I went to the Alabama camp this summer and connected with them there.
Ozone: Which coaching staff are you closest too?
Bars: I am closest to Michigan, Vanderbilt, Ohio State, and Tenn.; I am not sure who I am closest to overall.
Ozone: Which school do you have most friends at?
Bars: I have two brothers in college football, one at Michigan and one at Penn State but neither are influencing me to come to their schools.
Ozone Quick Hitters:
Most fun thing to do in Nashville? Concerts, lots of country music fans and concert once a week.
Country or popular music? I like country
Favorite music group or singer? Toby Keith
Best restaurant in Nashville? Not sure, there is McDougal?s, a chicken place that is really good.
Hobbies? Probably football, sports, hanging out with friends.
Surprising thing about you? I play guitar at school.
